MET Alliance SIGMET Coordination Project METAlliance : Facing the challenges together
MET Alliance? MET Alliance: 8 European countries Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Switzerland Its mission: MET Alliance contributes to the improvement of the quality and costeffectiveness of the aeronautical meteorological services. It focuses on users needs and defines best practices in its members States. MET Alliance covers the areas of aeronautical operational forecasting and observations, technical infrastructure and communications, development, training and organization
Several projects together SIGMET coordination TAF and TREND verification MOS and TAF Guidance Suppliers users group Competency assessment
The SIGMET coordination 6 neighbouring countries The aim: to achieve a seamless production of SIGMET across the borders of MET Alliance partners FIRs. This aim is ambitious and will be achieved in several steps, not in a short term. The condition: each country keeps its sovereignty. The project doesn t aim at centralization.
The SIGMET coordination (II) Bilateral operational coordination, between neighbouring countries is obtained by a phone call, generally before the issuance of SIGMET, or very soon after it if reactivity is the main target. The language used is mainly English (foreign language for everyone) but in some cases (Belgium/France), (Germany, Switzerland and Austria) French or German can be used. In some cases, the forecasters may keep a different opinion despite the discussion (different models, different methodologies). At the end, each one is responsible for his production.
Bilateral SIGMET coordination May205-May206 : 27 coordination calls from/to French MWO
WEB Platform A common web platform has been developed and hosted by Météo France for MET Alliance. Visualization in real time of valid SIGMETs in the MET Alliance area (when a SIGMET is issued, the polygon contouring the phenomenon is displayed) If the text was not decoded by the software for any format problem, the whole FIR is displayed.
Polygons display is useful
but there s always room for discussion
WEB Platform other features Sharing of Operating Guidance Handbook from each country Sharing access to web-briefing system of every organization (with access to MET information related to SIGMET such as SIGWX charts)
Daily Teleconference experiment A large (6 neighbouringcountries) daily teleconference, at a fixed time, to brief each other about the general weather situation and significant weather expected in the next 24 hours phone conference (automatic system calling participants) trial for one month in March 206 with a rotating moderation by each country for several days in a row based roughly on the model of a German speakers conference run every day by Austria, Germany and Switzerland
Daily Teleconference feedback ++ + o _ Feedbacks synthesis: time duration understandability of content understandability of English language helpfulness for daily work enough detailed information committed and friendly atmosphere technical quality usefulness of graphical support 4 8 7 4 2 5 3 5 4 3 2 2 3 2 2 A systematic conference is not relevant depending on the MET situation Bi or tri lateral conferences are perceived as more efficient than large scaleconferences where too many different concerns are present.
SIGMET Coordination Workshop 6-7 June 205 in Toulouse, France Presentation of MWO tools by each country Discussion on a list of possible divergences due to different interpretation of ICAO guidance Drafting of a set of rules aimed at improve the consistency between SIGMET production
Draft guidance ELEMENT PROBLEM SOLUTION Event observed in the neighbouringfir and likely to occur in one s FIR Difference in severity Vertical extent A SIGMET is issued for an event which is observed in a FIR, not in the other one An event is reported with a higher severity in a FIR Difference in the vertical extent The SIGMET is issued as a forecast SIGMET If the difference is not too strong, the most severe level is considered. If the difference is not too strong, the larger vertical extent (base to top) is considered. Horizontal extent To avoid border effect Common definitions of FRQ, EMBD, squall line are necessary. Point still pending Duration In case of TS Generally a duration of 2 hours is recommended Speed of action Since related to safety, the forecasters have to issue the necessary SIGMET as quickly as possible The first concerned MWO issues its SIGMET then make the phone calls to the other MWOs which then follow.
Exchange of forecasters A forecaster visiting the forecasting service of another country, usually for a 2 days meeting. Benefit: Seeing the differences in the understanding of ICAO rules and recommendation (no essential differences observed) Getting to know colleagues helps and eases future discussion during coordination. Being aware of the different tools and methods used by foreign colleagues
Exchange of forecasters A forecaster visiting the forecasting service of another country, usually for a 2 days meeting. Benefit: Seeing the differences in the understanding of ICAO rules and recommendation (no essential differences observed) Getting to know colleagues helps and eases future discussion during coordination. Being aware of the different tools and methods used by foreign colleagues
The MET Alliance partners Austro Control Belgocontrol DWD KNMI Met Eireann Météo France MeteoLux MeteoSwiss